One week later Mako sat at his desk in the precinct. Lin had granted Mako leave, so that he could attend to the pregnant avatar until after the birth of their child. But he had to work one last week to either close cases or prepare them for transfer to other detectives. Each day of his last week at work found him anxious and paranoid. Mako was afraid that while he was at work Korra would take a turn for the worse and he would return home to find her dying or dead. His anxiety would only be quelched when he found Korra at home waiting for him safe and sound.
She waited for him every night. They would eat dinner together, with the others, and after he would carry her upstairs to help her with her bedtime routine. To his surprise she had stopped complaining about needing help. He was rewarded each night with a long loving kiss, but he never tried for more as he was afraid any nighttime activities might put Korra or the baby at risk.
Mako finished his last file for transfer. He looked over at the clock "Shit!" he said to himself. He should have realized how late it was when Lin had left several hours before.
It was a half past ten when Korra agreed to have Asami help her get ready for bed. The girls talked for a little bit, then they heard Naga barking at the door downstairs.
"I think she wants to go out." Yawned Korra, "she has the whole yard, but she loves going for walks. I feel bad I haven't been able to take her out."
"I'll take her out" said Asami. "I could use a walk myself."
Korra thinks she told Asami "Thank You." but she was so tired she didn't know if she actually said the words out loud. She wasn't sure how long she was out for when she heard the sound of movement in her room.
"Mako?" she called out sleepily.
"Quick, she's awake. Hold her down. lets get this over with." The words registered only when she felt the weight of someone straddling her midsection, and pinning her hands to her sides. She could see another figure in the dark creating a dagger of ice, it's sharpness glistening in the darkness. Korra bucked her hips upward and at the same time she tore her arms out and away from her assailants hold. She managed to get her captor off of her, but she was incredibly weak. As she jumped to her feet she felt unsteady and she barely missed being stabbed by the knife wielding water bender. Fire came to life in her hands as she lashed out at the water bender. But as she held him off, the non bender came at her full force and knocked her to the ground from behind.
"Enough" she said. Korra knew she was too weak in her current state to fight off these two assailants. She had to protect her baby. Her eyes glowed blue as she channeled the avatar state. But the light in her eyes flickered and went out as a pain in her lower back and pelvic tore her out of the avatar state. She felt the pre-birth waters release from her body. The non bender took advantage of Korra's weakness. As she was on her knees in pain he took her arms and held them painfully behind her back, thrusting her chest outward.
The water bender, having recovered from her fire attack, held his ice knife high above his head and prepared to plunge it into the chest of the avatar. "For the Red Lotus" he said.
Mako knew something wasn't right as soon as he entered the house. For one Naga wasn't at the door to greet him. Even when everyone was in bed when Mako came home Naga always knew he was there before he got to the door and came to meet him. As he raced up the stairs he could hear the sounds of commotion. He got to the door of his and Korra's bedroom and threw it open. He assessed the situation quickly as he summoned flames and attacked Korra's assailant before he could complete his murderous act. The water bender screamed out in pain, and the non bender let go of Korra, putting his hands up in defeat, afraid of the dangerous look in Mako's eyes.
Katara ran into the room "What's happening?"
Mako Jerked his head toward the avatar "Help, Korra. I am going to get these low lifes out of here. I will be right back."
Mako grabbed the collar of what was left of the water bender's shirt and pulled him to his feet. The would be assassin cried out in pain as the movement pulled at his charred flesh. Mako then motioned for the other one to walk in front of him. "If you value your lives do as I tell you."
Mako escorted the two downstairs just as Asami came into the house with Naga.
"What on earth?" Asami questioned as she saw Mako with the two men. Realization struck her before Mako even had time to answer. "Oh my spirits, Korra is she?"
"She is ok. I am going to call the police to come and get these two, then I am going up to check on Korra. Are you ok watching them until the police come?"
The water bender was on the ground, weeping in pain, and the non bender sat petrified as Naga growled in his face.
"I think Naga and I can handle these two."
